Close friends of Ghost Ship defendant Max Harris testify about his integrity

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Inside the Alameda County Courthouse Wednesday, close friends of Ghost Ship defendant Max Harris testified about his integrity.

They described him as truthful, honorable and "deeply honest."

"I want people to know what a compassionate, honest and upstanding person max is," former roommate Alex Goldman said outside court.

"He has maintained he will be held accountable for what he needs to be held accountable for," another friend Elissa Roy also said outside court.

The defense says it is attempting to give a fuller picture of the character of Harris whom the prosecution says was the the creative director at the Ghost Ship and at least partially responsible for creating what the district attorney called a "death trap."

"We want the jury to see people still stand by Max Harris. Even with these allegations he people who know and trust and love Max, they believe in his innocence," said Harris' attorney Curtis Briggs.

Harris and Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena are facing 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

That's the number of people who died when the Ghost Ship burst into flames during an electronic music party in December 2016.

"Sometimes it is extremely painful. It wrings out every emotion," said Colleen Dolan.

Dolan of San Rafael is one of many victims' family members who regularly attend the trial.

Her 33-year-old daughter Chelsea Dolan had been invited to play music at the Ghost Ship that night.

"Our loved ones died unnecessarily, and I just need to be there for Chelsea just to say I'm sorry. You two men are wrong," said Dolan.

"I have a hard time listening to people make excuses for Max or Derick. We all knew who created the Ghost Ship, who ran the Ghost Ship," said David Gregory, whose daughter Michela Gregory died in the fire.

The trial resumes Thursday.